Land Investment Expo

“Land is an economic asset.” USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden shared his perspectives and input at our event last year. Hear why he values connecting with those in the industry. Register Today at LandInvestmentExpo.com

Become an integral part of the 20th annual Land Investment Expo by sponsoring the event! The 2027 Expo provides sponsors and exhibitors an opportunity to drive brand recognition and establish a connection with a premier annual event with an ever-growing list of 1,800+ attendees. Various sponsorship levels and exhibitor booth spaces are available; however, space is limited. Join us as a sponsor of the 20th annual Land Investment Expo and put your brand at the center of the nation's premier agricultural conference. Learn more at LandInvestmentExpo.com

Register early to secure the best prices for the 2027 Land Investment Expo. The 20th anniversary is shaping up to be our biggest year yet with unforgettable speakers. Stay tuned for more information. BE IN THE ROOM ➡ LandInvestmentExpo.com

#Throwback to when 2024’s Presidential Candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, took the stage in 2023. “You are free to speak your mind at every step along the way. That is the American Dream. We live in divided times. When you tell people they can't speak, they scream. When they can't scream, they tear things down.” Who do you want to hear from at next year's expo?

Eric O'Keefe, emcee of the Land Investment Expo, recapped 2026’s event and the feedback he received that highlights just how special our event is. “Thank you for such a diverse series of opinions!” It was eye-opening, showing the breadth and continued growth of the Land Expo.

We are already looking ahead to the 20th anniversary of the Land Investment Expo on January 12, 2027! Stay connected with us all year long for event announcements and relevant news! Register Today at LandInvestmentExpo.com

Marko Papic (@Geo_papic), Macro and Geopolitical Strategist, kept our ballroom full until the end of the day as he closed out the 2026 Land Investment Expo. His closing thoughts.... + It’s a world where there’s a lot of conflict - that’s multipolarity - we are in a multipolar world. The world is multipolar because of the behavior from states in the world, "Most of you are sitting on a real asset whose value should go up if the underlying currency with which that asset is priced goes down." + He discussed people's interest in investing in land...physical things that will help values hold steady. "In fact, it's going to catch up to gold would be my conclusion." Until next year! Register at LandInvestmentExpo.com

Ed Yardeni, President of Yardeni Research, Inc., kicked off the last session of the day. + He discussed how people are reinventing themselves as traditional employment shifts. + Entrepreneurship, trades, and ag are seeing a renaissance: "There's a shortage of plumbers and electricians...I won't be surprised if some people say, 'I can go to trade school and get a job in something that won't be replaced by AI'...could be going back to a farm business - they're reinventing themselves." + Yardeni emphasized that political views should not drive investment decisions, stating "you can make money no matter who's in the White House." Thank you to Ed Yardeni for joining us!

Only a couple of hours left to secure tickets at $375 for in-person tickets and $100 for virtual tickets! Be in the room for the 20th anniversary of the nation's premier land conference. Register NOW at LandInvestmentExpo.com

Thank you to our presenters from our Afternoon Breakout Sessions! + Forces Shaping Southeastern U.S. Timberland Ownership Room - Will Autrey, Barrett McCall, Larson & McGowin + Farmland Markets: Short Term vs. Long Term Drivers of Value and Return - Dr. Bruce Sherrick, TIAA Center for Farmland Research, University of Illinois + Integrating Water-Market Strategies Into Agricultural Operations - Adam Jokerst, WestWater Research + Boa Safra Ag With Medal of Honor Recipient Sal Giunta - Sal Giunta + Succession and Structuring After the Big Beautiful Bill - Robert Hodges, @BrownWinick Law Firm + Pardon the Economics: Are the Ag Economy, Lending Conditions, and Farmland Markets on a Collision Course? - Jackson Takach, @FarmerMacNews Profitable Partnering With Experts - Paul Anderson, Peoples Company and Damian Howard, Lisa Shryack, Security National Bank Tax Deferred 721 Exchange Transactions for Farmland - Ethan Branscum, Sower Breakout sessions provide attendees with a further deep dive into 16 insightful topics.

Our best deal of the year ends TOMORROW. Secure your tickets for January 12, 2027! Buy your tickets before January 31 to get your in-person seat for $375 or virtually for $100 ➡ LandInvestmentExpo.com

Eric O'Keefe, our emcee and editor of The @landreport, revealed the "Land Report 100." The Land Report 100 is the gold standard list for the 100 largest private landowners in the United States. O'Keefe, in a big reveal, presented Stan Kroenke as the new number one after 2.7 million acres were acquired following a record-setting ranch purchase in New Mexico. Read more at landreport.com/stan-kroenke-a…

Ron Diamond was a huge hit with attendees during our lunch keynote session and inaugural Farmland Masterclass. He brought a ton of insight into the agricultural world. + Ron discussed his company, Diamond Wealth, a syndicate of over 100 Family Offices ranging in size from $250 million to $30 billion, with whom he has invested for over 20 years. The firm focuses exclusively on private markets, including private equity, real estate, venture capital, credit, and special situations. + Informed attendees on what Family Offices are and what they want - Non-correlated assets, Long-term holds, Tax efficiency, and Patient capital. Farmland checks every box. + He followed up with the disconnect between the worlds. "You haven't done a great job explaining it to us, and we haven't done a good job learning." That's about to change. Family offices are the ideal partners for agriculture - they hold forever, compound value over decades vs. private equity's 5-year flips. + Land ownership is seldom independent of family-governed investment structures. Many of the largest landowners operate through entities akin to family offices, where capital allocation, governance, and long-term stewardship are integrated into a single system. Thank you, @RonDiamond23!

Dave Price, Editor of @farmlandowner, spoke to attendees over lunch. Since 2023, American Farmland Owner has served as a trusted reporting source, playing a pivotal role in keeping landowners informed about the latest developments, trends, and opportunities across the agricultural industry. This ongoing commitment helps farmland owners navigate an ever-evolving landscape and make informed decisions that support the longevity and stewardship of their farms for generations to come. Visit AmericanFarmlandOwner.com for more information.

Joel Salatin (@Polyface_Farms), nicknamed the "Lunatic Farmer," brought a completely different perspective to #LandExpo26. Check out the highlights of his presentation. + Championed regenerative practices: mobile infrastructure, soil building, multi-species systems, and direct-to-consumer markets that bypass traditional ag infrastructure. + His farm operates on 5% energy inputs (vs. the 50% average) and has built 14 inches of topsoil on formerly barren rock in HIS lifetime. + Argued that those in the industry need to appeal agriculture as a profession to the next generation. Does everyone agree with his approaches? No. But exposure to opposing viewpoints - from geopolitical strategists to USDA leadership to regenerative farmers - is what makes Land Investment Expo the premier event for thinking critically about the future in ag. Thank you to Joel Salatin for spending time with us over lunch at the #LandExpo26

Peoples Company awarded Kevin Babb with the prestigious @PeoplesCompany Farmer of the Year award! From his fourth-generation roots in Champaign County to leading a high-performing corn and soybean operation, Kevin shows how “Cadillac” agronomy—balanced fertility, premium inputs, and precise timing—translates into stronger yields, healthier soil, and long-term landowner trust. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/Pn8mqcCZiaE Congratulations!

Jim Knuth, Senior Vice President of Lending for Farm Credit Services of America, has spoken at the Land Investment Expo for more than 15 years. Earlier this January, Knuth shared his perspective on Iowa land values. Check out the full article below by one of our media sponsors, Successful Farming.

Thank you to our presenters from our Morning Breakout Sessions! Our speakers gave timely presentations that enhanced and customized our attendees' experience. + OZ 2.0 Goes Rural - John Heneghan, Servant Financial + Farmland Becomes “Semi-Liquid" - Michael Robinson, @NuveenInv + Hot Topics in Land & Agribusiness: Financial Distress, Foreign Ownership, Immigration, and What’s Coming Next - Todd Friedman, Kirk Maag, @stoelrives, and Guest Panel + Maximizing Land Value: The ROI of Smart Irrigation and Remote Technologies - Eric Fleming, Lindsay Corporation + Crop Insurance Safety Net for Land Investors to See Dramatic Changes for 2026 - Dave Chatterton, Strategic Farm Marketing + Investment Trends for Family Offices in 2026 - Brett Halley, Private Wealth Asset Management and Mike Taylor, Midwest Growth Partners + Section 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges: Red Flags, Security, and Safeguarding the Process - David Brown, Chet Mellema, and Becky Peterson, IPE 1031 + Agriculture – Looking Forward - Jim Knuth, Farm Credit Services of America Which breakout session did you attend?

Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden brought thought-provoking insights to attendees. Check out some of his highlights. + USDA's impact extends far beyond rural America. The USDA is one of the very few cabinet departments that touch every American, literally every day. If you eat food, you come under the USDA. Inspectors ensure the protein you depend on forms the foundation of your diet. From food safety to research on eradicating diseases - they're involved. + There are approximately 880 million acres of U.S. farmland. Of that 880 million, 40% are leased, and 46 million is foreign-owned (mostly by Canada). + Discussed the benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, particularly its provision to make the estate tax exemption permanent at $15 million per individual or $30 million per couple. Assets built over a lifetime should not be claimed by the federal government in a matter of seconds. Thank you for wrapping up our morning keynote session!